Tips for Beginning Meditation (and why it makes you cry)

Meditation has been gaining in popularity over the years, so much so that it isn't considered a foo-foo practice anymore. It is a legitimate exercise that has gained traction with people from all walks of life. Almost every successful people you might chat with has a consistent meditation practice that they follow.

I have been an avid practitioner of meditation for the past few years, and I always get asked the same question by beginner meditators. "Why does meditation sometimes make me cry? I thought it was supposed to make me Zen and stress-free?"

The common misconception about meditation is that it is primarily a stress-relief tool.

That is how it has been marketed in the past. In my opinion, meditation is a life-long practice of un-smudging yourself to see who you truly are. To see your authentic self, without the myriad masks that we normally wear.

Meditation helps us realize the truth, the ultimate truth about ourselves.

When we begin the process of un-smudging the layers, a lot of emotional distress will be revealed. Either it is grief at all of those moments you were unaware of yourself, or sadness at lost time, or joy at the discovery of your true self. A lot of emotions will come up when you first start meditating. Like any other detox, this mental detox of meditation will reveal and release a lot of toxins. In order to let go of your past, the past must come up in the form of emotions.

Let the emotions come up and let them go. Release them. Do not hold on to them. They are of no use to you anymore. Cry if you want to. Laugh out loud if need be. Whatever emotion you are feeling, feel it intensely, lean into it, and then let it all go.

Tears are a great healer - a good cry can help you release so much negativity and toxicity. Along with meditation, a good cry can cleanse your soul from the inside out. We all could do with one of these deep cleanses.

Don't be afraid of crying during or after meditation. You are not going crazy. It is a necessary step in the process of letting go of your past selves. They don't serve you anymore. In order to grow, and move upward to your higher self, the past selves must be discarded. Crying will help you do so.

TIPS FOR BEGINNER MEDITATORS

1. Take some time after any meditation session to be on your own.

This time is necessary for you to integrate the learnings and growth that a meditation practice entails. In addition, being alone will give you permission to let go of emotions and cry if necessary.

2. Do not be afraid to cry.

Emotions are a natural part of who we are. Do not be ashamed of it. Crying is one of the most healing practices. It helps us let go of so much. I try to get a good cry in at least once a month.

3. If you need to talk to someone after you cry, please do so with someone you trust.

You are in an extremely vulnerable position after a meditation cry session and you need to be around people who will take care of you.

Meditation is one of my favorite practices to gain clarity about myself. I believe if more people meditated, we wouldn't need to drown our miseries in alcohol, drugs, shopping, food, or other alternative therapies. I would love to hear from you about your meditation practice. Please comment below!

Boom Shikha is a serial entrepreneur, wanderluster, online-business owner, yogi, author, and avid meditator. She's interested in helping you find your life purpose, and get to your Level 10 life. Join her free private FB group at http://www.whatsyourfreedomnumber.com.